“We want to create a meaningful season.”

Chungnam National University won a qualifying match against Chosun University in the 2023 KUSF Collegiate Volleyball U-League with a set score of 3-2 (25-22, 19-25, 18-25, 25-19, 15-13) at Chosun University Gymnasium in Gwangju on 26 November.

Sophomore outside hitter Jungwoo Yoo (OH, 188 cm) had 17 points, including two blocks. He had just two errors while scoring the most points on the team.

After the game, Jung-woo Yoo said, “(Kim) Seung-hyun’s injury really shook the team up. There were parts of the game that were disturbing, but we worked hard without losing our focus, and it feels good to have a good result,” said Yoo. Chungnam National University was also nervous, as Chosun University is a strong team at home. Yoo Jung-woo said, “We were also worried. We didn’t feel that it was that difficult because we were playing at a lower level than the other teams,” he said.안전놀이터

During the match against Gyeongsang National University, main outside hitter Kim Seung-hyun (4th year, 186cm) was injured. He tore a ligament and was unable to play in the first half of the U-League. In his place, head coach Lee Ki-beom inserted Yoo Jung-woo, who said, “(Yoo) is originally an outside hitter. He played as an outside hitter due to team circumstances, but I expected him to do well because he had experience in the position,” he said.

Playing as an outside hitter for the first time in a long time, Yoo was also under pressure: “I was worried about this match. There were some unstable parts, but I think I helped the team, so I’m satisfied,” he said.
“It’s the position I’ve always played, so I had a feeling. I prefer to play outside hitter. Of course, there is some pressure to receive,” she said.

Yoo is definitely taking advantage of his opportunities when they come, but there are still concerns. Last season, a series of injuries slowed him down. He wants to make it a good one after a difficult start to the season. “(Kim) Seung-hyun got injured, and then I got injured, and it was like a routine. So I’m a little bit worried. This season, I want to break that jinx and show a good performance without getting injured.”

The team is showing more stability than last season and is looking like a strong team. Yoo Jung-woo said, “The coach tells us to do our thing, win or lose. We also try to make the game fun and happy for each other. We laugh more than the other teams on the court, and that creates a synergistic effect,” he said. As he said, Coach Lee focused on improving his team’s performance rather than winning or losing. It is no exaggeration to say that it has made Chungnam University what it is today.

With 4 wins and 1 loss, Chungnam University is closing in on first place Kyungpook National University (5 wins). On Wednesday, 31 May, the two teams will meet at Chungnam National University Gymnasium. Yoo Jung-woo says, “KU’s momentum is really good. We’ve played a lot of practice games with them, and we’ve played a lot of matches. Playing at home, I think our momentum will be even better,” he smiled.

In conclusion, he said, “I think our team is better than last year. We will play well in the remaining matches and finish the season with a meaningful season.”

Chungnam National University and Kyungpook National University meet after the victory. Let’s see if Chungnam University’s unique brand of happy volleyball can work once again.